Location-based mobile services and applications

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for performing a location-based search from a mobile device in a given location including an imaging sensor configured to capture a signal broadcast from a light source and a processor in communication with the imaging sensor configured to receive the signal from the imaging sensor, demodulate the signal to determine an identifier associated with the light source, receive a search query from a mobile device user requesting information relevant to the location of the mobile device, transmit the identifier and the search query to a search service, and in response to the transmission comprising the identifier and the search query, receive the information relevant to the location of the mobile device.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 capturing, by a mobile device in a location and via an image sensor of the mobile device, an image containing a signal broadcast from a light source; 
 demodulating, by a processor of the mobile device, the signal from the captured image; 
 processing, by the processor of the mobile device, the signal to determine information corresponding to a geographical location of the light source; 
 receiving, by the mobile device and from a user of the mobile device, a search query requesting information relevant to the location of the mobile device; 
 transmitting, via a network adapter of the mobile device and to a search service, the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source and the search query; and 
 receiving, from the search service and in response to the transmission comprising the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source and the search query, the requested information, the requested information constrained by the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source and the search query. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device user is prompted to enter the search query based on the location of the mobile device, the location of the mobile device being determined based on the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search service is determined based on the location of the mobile device, the location of the mobile device being determined based on the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a digital assistant for interacting with the mobile device user and directing search queries to the search service is invoked on the mobile device based on the location of the mobile device, the location of the mobile device being determined based on the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the digital assistant is one of an artificial intelligence engine, a virtual hologram, an audio and/or video call to an individual, a text message, or a chat dialogue. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the location is a retail environment and the digital assistant directs search queries to an individual based on a location of the mobile device within the retail environment. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location is one of a public building, a factory, a warehouse, a museum, a convention center, a school, a university, a government facility, or a commercial building. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises a modulated light signal. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises an asynchronous light source. 
     
     
       10. A mobile device comprising:
 an imaging sensor configured to capture an image containing a signal broadcast from a light source; and 
 a processor in communication with the imaging sensor configured to:
 receive the captured image from the imaging sensor; 
 demodulate the signal from the captured image; 
 process the signal to determine information corresponding to a geographical location of the light source; 
 receive, from a user of the mobile device, a search query requesting information relevant to a location of the mobile device; 
 transmit the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source and the search query to a search service; and 
 receive, from the search service and in response to the transmission comprising the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source and the search query, the requested information, the requested information constrained by the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source and the search query. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile device user is prompted to enter the search query based on the location of the mobile device, the location of the mobile device being determined based on the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source. 
     
     
       12. The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to determine the search service based on the location of the mobile device, the location of the mobile device being determined based on the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source. 
     
     
       13. The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to invoke a digital assistant for interacting with the mobile device user and directing search queries to the search service on the mobile device based on the location of the mobile device, the location of the mobile device being determined based on the information corresponding to the geographical location of the light source. 
     
     
       14. The mobile device of  claim 13 , wherein the digital assistant is one of an artificial intelligence engine, a virtual hologram, an audio and/or video call to an individual, a text message, or a chat dialogue. 
     
     
       15. The mobile device of  claim 13 , wherein the location is a retail environment and the digital assistant directs search queries to an individual based on a location of the mobile device within the retail environment. 
     
     
       16. The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the location is one of a public building, a factory, a warehouse, a museum, a convention center, a school, a university, a government facility, or a commercial building. 
     
     
       17. The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the signal comprises a modulated light signal. 
     
     
       18. The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the light source comprises an asynchronous light source.